MBT Financial Corp. Announces 20% Increase in Annual Earnings and Increases in Quarterly and Special Dividends

Published 5:00 PM ET Thu, 2 Feb 2017
Globe Newswire

MONROE, Mich., Feb. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MBT Financial Corp., (Nasdaq:MBTF), the parent company of Monroe Bank & Trust, reported a preliminary net profit of $3,578,000 ($0.16 per share, basic and diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to a profit of $4,014,000 ($0.18 per share, basic and diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2015. The full year profit in 2016 was $14,501,000 ($0.64 per share, basic and $0.63 per share, diluted) compared to $12,082,000 ($0.53 per share, basic and diluted) in 2015.

The Company also announced that it increased its quarterly dividend from $0.04 to $0.05 this quarter, and that it will pay a special dividend of $0.70 per share. The two dividends will be paid as a single distribution of $0.75 on February 21, 2017 to shareholders of record as of February 14, 2017. The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.03 and a special dividend of $0.50, with the increased dividend payments representing a 41.5% increase from the prior year same period.

Although Net Interest Income increased and non-interest expenses decreased compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, Net Income for the Company decreased this quarter due to the larger adjustment to the Allowance for Loan Losses last year. The net interest margin increased from 3.11% to 3.14% and the average amount of interest earning assets increased $18.8 million. As a result, the net interest income increased $246,000, or 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

The provision for loan losses increased $1,000,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 from a negative expense of $2,000,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015 to a negative expense of $1,000,000 recorded this quarter. Classified assets decreased 24% during the fourth quarter and the analysis of the risk in the loan portfolio indicated a need to reduce the Allowance for Loan Losses again this quarter. Total Loans decreased $3.5 million during the fourth quarter, and the continued improvement in asset quality and historical loss ratios enabled the Company to reduce the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses from 1.43% of loans at the end of the third quarter to 1.30% as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Non-interest income, excluding Other Real Estate and securities gains and losses was unchanged at $3.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Securities gains and losses decreased $132,000 and total non-interest income decreased $114,000 or 2.9%.

Total non-interest expenses decreased $216,000, or 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Salaries and benefits increased $135,000 or 2.3% while the FDIC deposit insurance assessment decreased $147,000 and other insurance expense decreased $83,000.

Total assets of the company increased $15.0 million, or 1.1% compared to December 31, 2015. Capital decreased $6.2 million during the year as the payment of the special and regular dividends slightly exceeded the net income and the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) component of capital caused a decrease of $5.2 million due to the decrease in the value of AFS securities. The securities valuation decreased as market interest rates increased during the fourth quarter of 2016. The ratio of equity to assets decreased from 10.98% at the end of 2015 to 10.40% at the end of 2016. The Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage ratio decreased from 10.91% as of December 31, 2015 to 10.75% as of December 31, 2016.

H. Douglas Chaffin, President and CEO, commented, “We are pleased with our results in 2016, especially the recent trend of improving net interest margin, the reduction in classified assets, and the non-interest expense reduction. Our loan portfolio grew $34.2 million, or 5.5% during 2016, and we plan to continue our focus on loan growth in 2017. The increase in our quarterly dividend and the payment of another special dividend reflect our efforts to actively manage our capital while we look for the right opportunities to grow throughout our existing branch network and strategic acquisitions. We remain confident in our ability to maintain our position as the premier independent provider of financial services in the communities we serve, despite challenges in our current environment.”

Conference CallMBT Financial Corp. will hold a conference call to discuss the Fourth Quarter 2016 results on Friday, February 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at the Investor Relations/Corporate Profile page of MBT Financial Corp.’s web site www.mbandt.com. The call can also be accessed in the United States by calling toll free (877) 510-3783. The toll free number for callers in Canada is (855) 669-9657 and international callers can access the call at (412) 902-4136. A replay will be available one hour after the conclusion of the call at (877) 344-7529, Conference #10098512. The replay will be available until March 3, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s web site and available for twelve months following the call.

About the Company:MBT Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:MBTF), a bank holding company headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, is the parent company of Monroe Bank & Trust (“MBT”). Founded in 1858, MBT is one of the largest independently owned community banks in Southeast Michigan. With over $1.3 billion in assets, MBT is a full-service bank, offering a complete range of business and personal accounts, credit and mortgage options, investment and retirement services and award-winning financial literacy outreach. MBT employee volunteers contribute between 8,000 to 9,000 hours of community service annually. MBT’s Commercial Lending Group is a top SBA lending partner. MBT’s Wealth Management Group (“WMG”) is one of the largest and most respected in Michigan. The Michigan Bankers Association ranks MBT fourth among all Michigan banks for total trust assets. With offices and ATMs in Monroe, Lenawee, and Wayne Counties, convenient mobile and online banking, a robust online and social media presence and a comprehensive array of products and services, MBT prides itself in offering World Class Banking with a Local Address. Visit MBT’s website at www.mbandt.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained herein are not based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements which are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond the Company's control), may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of these terms. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset/liability management, change in the financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value of our financial assets, the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity, and the ability of the Company to resolve or dispose of problem loans. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.